Cannabidiol (CBD) can effectively and selectively reduce inflammation-induced fever. This is what a study developed at the Ribeirão Preto School of Dentistry (Forp) at USP indicates.

The research investigated the effect of CBD on the febrile process in mice. The work was published in the journal Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry. The guidance was provided by Professor Luiz Guilherme Siqueira Branco, from the Department of Basic and Oral Biology at Forp.

He explains to Jornal da USP that the interest arose because, despite the widespread use of CBD, its effect on fever was still unknown. For the professor, the research reinforces the interaction between bodily and mental processes. 

 Fever is a common response of the body to infections, a result of chemical mediators that alter temperature regulation in the brain. Although it is a defense mechanism, when elevated, it requires treatment with antipyretic medications. Persistent inflammatory states can contribute to disorders such as anxiety and depression.

The Antipyretic Effect of Cannabidiol

Researchers found that cannabidiol, at a specific dose, was able to reduce fever induced by LPS. "This effect was consistently observed, showing that the substance indeed presented antipyretic potential," highlights the professor.

CBD reduced fever without interfering with the animals' basal temperature. "This is very important because it means that CBD has a selective action," Branco states. "It does not cause hypothermia, it only reduces fever when there is inflammation."

The study also indicated that cannabidiol decreased inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) and increased the anti-inflammatory IL-10. There was also a reduction in PGE2 and corticosterone.

"These findings reinforce the anti-inflammatory action of cannabidiol," explains Siqueira Branco. The substance acts on "different points that lead to an increase in body temperature."

How the CBD Study Was Conducted

The experiments used male mice that received injections of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce fever. Cannabidiol was administered 30 minutes before LPS.

Researchers monitored the animals' body temperature with dataloggers implanted in the abdominal cavity. They also measured different inflammatory markers.

Cytokines, proteins that regulate cell defense communication, were analyzed. Among the pro-inflammatory cytokines (which increase fever) are TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. IL-10, on the other hand, is anti-inflammatory.

Other mediators were also evaluated, such as PGE2, linked to increased temperature in the hypothalamus (AVPO). Corticosterone, a stress hormone that regulates inflammation, was also measured.

Despite the positive results, the professor highlights important limitations. "Our study was only done in male mice and with a single dose of the substance."

"We still need to evaluate the effects in females in models of chronic inflammation and, mainly, in clinical trials with humans," he ponders.

Future of Cannabidiol as an Antipyretic

CBD can be a promising alternative to conventional antipyretics, according to the professor. The substance has the potential to be safer in some clinical situations.

"CBD can be especially useful for patients with contraindications to the use of these medications," he evaluates, citing cases of liver dysfunction.

Next steps include investigating ligature-induced periodontitis and challenges with the bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis.

In addition to testing in females and humans, new research should delve into the mechanisms involved. This is essential to define the viability of the therapeutic use of cannabidiol in the future.

With information from Jornal da USP